On April 11, 2002, a natural gas truck fitted with explosives drove past security barriers at the ancient Ghriba Synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba.[1] The truck detonated at the front of the synagogue, killing 14 German tourists, three Tunisians, and two French nationals.[2] More than 30 others were wounded.

In March 2003, five people were arrested in Spain who were believed to have financed this attack. In April 2003, a German man named Christian Ganczarski was arrested in Paris in connection with the bombing. He was arrested by a joint intelligence operation, in the frame of Alliance Base, which is located in Paris, and transferred to Fresnes prison in Paris.

In February 2009, Ganczarski was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the bombing.[9]

10 years after the attack, thanks to freedom of expression and organization brought by the revolution. A Djerbian citizens' initiative to break the silence was adopted by the Presidency of the Republic and concerned embassies to commemorate victims of this attack.

Silent march

Flowers laid for those killed in the attack

April 11, 2012, Moncef Marzouki the temporary President of the Tunisian Republic, Pr. Horst-Wolfram Kerll (de), the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Tunisia and Mr. Boris Boillon Ambassador of the French Republic to Tunisia, marched silently in homage to the victims. Moncef Marzouki met with present victims’ families and delivered a memorial speech where he strongly condemned these heinous attacks and expressed on behalf of the people of Tunisia and the Tunisian government a deep compassion for victims and their families.